There have been the occasional .38 special target guns made. But they were specifically designed for using flush seated wadcutter rounds. For general use, you're probably going to have to get into the .357 magnum autos, and they won't cycle .38 special.

I'm looking for a semi-automatic pistol that will shoot .38 special revolver rounds.

Will I have any luck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kf6ivi

Colt made 1911 frame in a 38 special in the 60's. it shot only wadcutters, it held 5 in the clip

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChapNelson

Desert Eagle .357 Magnum might shoot .38 spl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfokarr

You'll spend more on a model 52,than you would on buying a 9mm,and the desert eagles wont autochamber a 38 unless its a +p and then it's iffy.

The Model 52's are great, accurate and very reliable as long as you stick with the 'mid-range' wadcutter load. They don't work with any other bullet than the wadcutter and are limited to a particular velocity range, i.e. the mid-range load.

The Coonan could be had with a .38 Special conversion barrel and spring, you might check with Coonan to see if they are going to make these again.

The Desert Eagle can fire .38's but won't function with them, even +P's. Plus the DE's can't use lead bullets, the gas ports will plug with lead and the frame will crack ruining the weapon.

The Colt MkIII National Match 1911's were few and are far between. And suffer the same ammunition maladies as the S&W 52's.

One guy made the model 52 at S&W for over 20 years until the machine set up for them cracked a housing and the gun was immediately discontinued for economical reasons. They are only used in Bullseye matches and getting rare for that as well. Lot of guys using 32 and 38 revolvers.

The Coonan is being made again...Got an E-mail from the rifle builder Tactical Rifles saying that they will be packaging a SHOT show special with them...Price is $7,889.00 for the package. Orders are now being accepted with a $500.00 SHOT Show discount.

There was also the semi auto revolver, the Mateba, chambered in .38 Spec/.357 mag and would take every ammo...Yes, there was!

One guy made the model 52 at S&W for over 20 years until the machine set up for them cracked a housing and the gun was immediately discontinued for economical reasons. They are only used in Bullseye matches and getting rare for that as well. Lot of guys using 32 and 38 revolvers.

I think you'll find that the 952 has replaced the 52, and is quite accurate in it's own right. And it's easier to feed.